Bill Cosby dumps his second legal team ahead of sentencing in fall

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bill Cosby has ousted the high-powered defense team whose aggressive tactics failed to sway jurors from convicting him of sexual assault in April.

Cosby's spokesman Andrew Wyatt said Thursday that Tom Mesereau and the rest of the legal team that handled Cosby's retrial have been replaced by a Philadelphia-area defense attorney with experience handling sex crimes cases.

His new lawyer, Joseph Green, issued a statement via Wyatt.

"I am looking forward to representing Mr. Cosby in post verdict proceedings and at sentencing," Green said. "There are complicated legislative and constitutional issues unique to Pennsylvania law that have to be addressed prior to sentencing."

The 80-year-old comedian has been on house arrest since his conviction.

Bill Cosby guilty verdict: Photos from courthouse

Bill Cosby accuser Andrea Constand (C) reacts after the guilty on all counts verdict was delivered in Cosby's sexual assault retrial at the Montgomery County Courthouse on April 26, 2018 in Norristown, Penn. More than 40 women have accused the 80-year-old entertainer of sexual assault.

Bill Cosby accusers (L-R) Caroline Heldman, Lili Bernard and Victoria Valentino (far right) react after the guilty on all counts verdict was delivered in the sexual assault retrial at the Montgomery County Courthouse on April 26, 2018.

Lili Bernard, who has accused Bill Cosby of raping her, reacts during a press conference with other accusers outside of the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Penn. on April 26, 2018.

Bill Cosby walks out of the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Penn. on April 26, 2018 after the jury, which began deliberations Wednesday, found him guilty on all three counts of molesting Andrea Constand at his Philadelphia-area home in 2004.

Andrea Constand (L), the main accuser in the Bill Cosby sexual assault retrial, looks on as Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele speaks to reporters after the retrial of Cosby's sexual assault case.

Attorney Gloria Allred leaves the court after Bill Cosby was found guilty in the retrial of his sexual assault case at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Penn/ on April 26, 2018.

Bill Cosby raises gestures as he leaves the Montgomery County Courthouse on April 26, 2018.

After hearing the jury had reached a verdict in aggravated indecent assault retrial, Bill Cosby re-enters the courtroom to learn his fate. The jury, which began deliberations Wednesday, found him guilty on all three counts of molesting Andrea Constand at his Philadelphia-area home in 2004.

Defense attorney Kathleen Bliss is seen arriving at the Montgomery County Courthouse.

epa06694266 US entertainer Bill Cosby (3-L) arrives at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pennsylvania, USA, 26 April 2018, for the second day of jury deliberations in his retrial for charges stemming from an alleged sexual assault in 2004. Cosby has been charged with Aggravated Indecent Assault, which is a second degree felony, by the Pennsylvania prosecutor. EPA-EFE/TRACIE VAN AUKEN ORG XMIT: TVX01

Attorney Gloria Allred talks with members of the media during a lunch break in the Bill Cosby sexual assault trial at the Montgomery County Courthouse, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Norristown, Pa. (AP Photo/Corey Perrine) ORG XMIT: PACP

NORRISTOWN, PA - APRIL 26: Bill Cosby accusers (L-R) Lili Bernard and Caroline Heldman pose for a selfie while waiting in line before the courtroom opens at the Montgomery County Courthouse for day fourteen of his sexual assault retrial on April 26, 2018 in Norristown, Pennsylvania. The jury continues deliberations for the second day. A former Temple University employee alleges that the entertainer drugged and molested her in 2004 at his home in suburban Philadelphia. More than 40 women have accused the 80 year old entertainer of sexual assault. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775157945 ORIG FILE ID: 951516400

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Bill Cosby accuser Andrea Constand (C) reacts after the guilty on all counts verdict was delivered in Cosby's sexual assault retrial at the Montgomery County Courthouse on April 26, 2018 in Norristown, Penn. More than 40 women have accused the 80-year-old entertainer of sexual assault.

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Bill Cosby accusers (L-R) Caroline Heldman, Lili Bernard and Victoria Valentino (far right) react after the guilty on all counts verdict was delivered in the sexual assault retrial at the Montgomery County Courthouse on April 26, 2018.

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Lili Bernard, who has accused Bill Cosby of raping her, reacts during a press conference with other accusers outside of the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Penn. on April 26, 2018.

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Bill Cosby walks out of the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Penn. on April 26, 2018 after the jury, which began deliberations Wednesday, found him guilty on all three counts of molesting Andrea Constand at his Philadelphia-area home in 2004.

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Andrea Constand (L), the main accuser in the Bill Cosby sexual assault retrial, looks on as Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele speaks to reporters after the retrial of Cosby's sexual assault case.

Attorney Gloria Allred leaves the court after Bill Cosby was found guilty in the retrial of his sexual assault case at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Penn/ on April 26, 2018.

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Bill Cosby raises gestures as he leaves the Montgomery County Courthouse on April 26, 2018.

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After hearing the jury had reached a verdict in aggravated indecent assault retrial, Bill Cosby re-enters the courtroom to learn his fate. The jury, which began deliberations Wednesday, found him guilty on all three counts of molesting Andrea Constand at his Philadelphia-area home in 2004.

Defense attorney Kathleen Bliss is seen arriving at the Montgomery County Courthouse.

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epa06694266 US entertainer Bill Cosby (3-L) arrives at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pennsylvania, USA, 26 April 2018, for the second day of jury deliberations in his retrial for charges stemming from an alleged sexual assault in 2004. Cosby has been charged with Aggravated Indecent Assault, which is a second degree felony, by the Pennsylvania prosecutor. EPA-EFE/TRACIE VAN AUKEN ORG XMIT: TVX01

Attorney Gloria Allred talks with members of the media during a lunch break in the Bill Cosby sexual assault trial at the Montgomery County Courthouse, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Norristown, Pa. (AP Photo/Corey Perrine) ORG XMIT: PACP

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NORRISTOWN, PA - APRIL 26: Bill Cosby accusers (L-R) Lili Bernard and Caroline Heldman pose for a selfie while waiting in line before the courtroom opens at the Montgomery County Courthouse for day fourteen of his sexual assault retrial on April 26, 2018 in Norristown, Pennsylvania. The jury continues deliberations for the second day. A former Temple University employee alleges that the entertainer drugged and molested her in 2004 at his home in suburban Philadelphia. More than 40 women have accused the 80 year old entertainer of sexual assault. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775157945 ORIG FILE ID: 951516400